Allison & Busby are pleased to announce the acquisition of a new historical novel from Julian Stockwin, THE CRAKYS OF WAR.
This is the second in a sequence of stand‐alone novels that will dramatise pivotal historical discoveries. THE SILK TREE, Julian Stockwin’s first stand‐alone novel, was published by Allison & Busby in November 2014. Publishing Director Susie Dunlop bought UK + Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to this much‐anticipated follow‐up from Carole Blake at Blake Friedmann.
THE CRAKYS OF WAR opens with a returned envoy to China meeting an English scholar in Oxford in the mid 13th century to share a deadly secret. They vow that the knowledge of gunpowder must die with them as the consequences otherwise are too terrible to contemplate. The novel tells the story of its re‐discovery, one man's obsession with the powder of death, and Edward III’s determination to use it to his advantage. He does so at the Battle of Crecy, the first full-scale battle at which guns are deployed in the field. The nature of warfare is changed forever, and the world hears the death-knell of Knightly chivalry.
Susie Dunlop said: ‘We have been honoured to work with an author of Julian’s calibre and professionalism, and I am thrilled we will have a second novel in 2016. Working closely with Julian, his wife Kathy and agent Carole Blake, we look forward to building on our success with THE SILK TREE, and bringing this new book to Julian’s legions of fans’
Julian Stockwin said: ‘It is a pleasure to be working with the talented team at Allison & Busby again – on this exciting new perspective on the brutal mediaeval world of war from which emerged the modern age.’
Carole Blake said: ‘I was delighted with the commitment that Allison & Busby brought to their publishing of THE SILK TREE (and to the production values of the beautiful finished book) so am very happy to have another deal with them.’
For further information please contact Susie Dunlop: susie@allisonandbusby.com
For rights information please contact Carole Blake: carole@blakefriedmann.co.uk